Mark Lawrenson has admitted that he only sees one outcome for Liverpool’s visit to West Ham United on Monday.
The Reds travel to the London Stadium looking to return to winning ways after Wednesday’s disappointing draw with Leicester City, and Lawrenson believes they will do just that, predicting a 2-0 win for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“Liverpool have won 4-0 and 4-1 on their previous two visits to London Stadium and this might turn out to be exactly the game they need right now,” he wrote on the BBC Sport website. “I think it’s easier for the Reds to play away from Anfield because of the massive expectancy when they are at home.
“Away from home, they can just get on with it and, generally, teams are a little bit more open which obviously suits the way Liverpool play as well. West Ham are a prime example of that because, good or bad, they are not likely to shut up shop on Monday. If Hammers striker Marko Arnautovic was fit and firing then I would look at the game a little bit differently but if he is absent with his foot injury then I only see one outcome.”
OPINION
You’ve got to favour Liverpool here. West Ham have conceded seven goals in their last two games. Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Wimbledon have both taken the Hammers defence to the cleaners so imagine what the Reds will do to them. Honestly, it won’t be as easy as all that. West Ham are pretty good on the attack and, even if Arnautovic is missing, they will still give it a good go in front of their home fans. This is a free hit from their perspective so Klopp will have to be wary. Ultimately the Reds should have too much quality. However, we said that before the Leicester game and it didn’t quite pan out there, did it? But, as Lawrenson says, they will have less pressure playing away from home and will be able to counter attack more because the hosts will be forced to come out and play. So when you take all that into consideration you have to go for a Liverpool victory in this one.
